Navigating the European Publishing Landscape – A Conversation with Bart – Part 1

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With a deep understanding of scholarly and educational publishing, Bart, Vice President of Business Development for Europe at Integra, plays a key role in helping European publishers optimize their workflows, enhance efficiency, and leverage technology. Fluent in Dutch, English, and German, and an active member of the European Association of Science Editors (EASE), Bart brings a unique perspective on the evolving publishing ecosystem in Europe, from automation and workflow improvements to accessibility compliance and regional publishing trends. In this conversation, Bart shares his insights on the European publishing landscape, the impact of the European Accessibility Act (EAA), how automation is reshaping publishing, and how Integra is perceived by publishers across the region. He also reflects on his recent experiences at industry conferences, discussing their value for both publishers and service providers.

Getting to Know Bart

Bart, could you tell us a little about your journey in publishing and your current role at Integra?

Bart: Absolutely! My journey in publishing has been a fascinating one. I’ve always been passionate about the intersection of content and technology, which naturally led me into scholarly publishing. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with publishers across Europe, helping them navigate workflow efficiencies, automation, and the ever-evolving publishing landscape. At Integra, as Vice President of Business Development, I focus on aligning technology with publishers’ needs, ensuring they can scale effectively while staying compliant and innovative.

Based in the Netherlands, you work closely with publishers across Europe. What excites you most about the European publishing scene today?

Bart: What excites me the most is the sheer dynamism of the industry. European publishers are at the forefront of some of the biggest shifts in publishing today—whether it’s the adoption of Open Access models, AI-driven automation, or compliance with regulations like the European Accessibility Act (EAA). There’s always been a strong push towards digital transformation, and our customers are actively looking for ways to maximize the revenue of their content and make it more inclusive, efficient, and accessible. It’s inspiring to be part of this evolution and to help shape it with our technology-driven solutions.

You are a multilingual professional, fluent in Dutch, English, and German. How has this helped you in engaging with publishers across different markets in Europe?

Bart: Speaking multiple languages has been invaluable! Publishing is a relationship-driven industry, and being able to engage with partners in their native language fosters trust and deeper collaboration. It also helps me understand regional nuances—what works for a German publisher might not be the same for a UK-based one. Cultural and market-specific differences play a big role in business decisions, and language fluency helps me bridge those gaps effectively.

The Publishing Landscape in Europe

How would you describe the current publishing landscape in Europe? What are the key trends and challenges you see emerging?

Bart: The European publishing landscape is going through a period of transformation. Some of the biggest trends include:

• Open Access (OA) Growth: More institutions and funding bodies are pushing for OA models, requiring publishers to rethink their business strategies.
• Automation and AI Adoption: Many publishers are exploring AI-driven tools for peer review, metadata management, and content production.
• Accessibility Compliance: The EAA is a game changer, forcing publishers to rethink how they present content for all users.
• Economic Pressures: With increasing costs and budget constraints, publishers need to do more with less, which is driving demand for workflow optimization.

But one of the biggest challenges is probably balancing innovation with sustainability—how do you embrace new technology without disrupting traditional revenue models? That’s where strategic partnerships, subject matter expertise, and smart automation come into play.

What differences do you observe between scholarly publishing and educational publishing in Europe?

Bart: I think they are quite different. Scholarly publishing is heavily driven by research output, with a strong focus on Open Access, peer review integrity, and digital transformation. Educational publishing, on the other hand, is more curriculum-driven, with a greater emphasis on interactive content and accessibility. Another key difference is that educational publishers need to adapt to national education policies, making their approach more localized compared to scholarly publishers, who often work on a global scale.

How are Open Access (OA) policies shaping scholarly publishing in the region?

Bart: OA is arguably the most significant shift in scholarly publishing today. Policies like Plan S are accelerating the transition to OA, forcing publishers to adopt new business models. Subscription-based models are gradually being replaced by article processing charges (APCs), and there’s a growing emphasis on transparency and equitable access to knowledge. However, there are challenges—smaller publishers, in particular, are struggling with the financial viability of OA. The key to success lies in innovative funding models and technology-driven efficiencies.

What makes UK-based publishers unique compared to their European counterparts?

Bart: UK publishers tend to be more commercially driven and early adopters of digital publishing trends. They are often ahead of the curve in areas like Open Access, AI-driven workflows, and accessibility compliance.

European Accessibility Act (EAA) and Its Impact

The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is set to bring significant changes in publishing. Can you explain why this regulation is so important for publishers?

Bart: The EAA is a game changer because it mandates that all digital content be accessible to people with disabilities. This includes e-books, journals, and other digital publications. The importance of this regulation cannot be overstated—accessibility is no longer a “nice to have” but a legal requirement. More importantly, it’s about inclusivity—ensuring that content is accessible to all readers, regardless of ability.

What challenges do European publishers face in meeting accessibility requirements, and how can companies like Integra help?

Bart: One major challenge is retrofitting existing content to meet accessibility standards—it’s not as simple as flipping a switch. Publishers need to rethink everything from document structure and metadata to alternative text for images and screen reader compatibility. Integra helps by offering AI-driven accessibility solutions that automate much of this process, making compliance more efficient and cost-effective.

How do you see accessibility evolving in the next few years within education and scholarly publishing?

Bart: Accessibility will become standard practice rather than an afterthought. We’re going to see more automated tools for real-time accessibility checks, AI-driven content adaptation, and even voice-controlled publishing platforms. The future is about seamless, inclusive content delivery.

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As we’ve seen, the European publishing landscape is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by emerging technologies, changing regulations, and new business models. From automation and AI to accessibility compliance and digital-first strategies, publishers are navigating a complex terrain to stay competitive.

But the journey is far from over. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll delve deeper into the innovative ways publishers are leveraging AI, automation, and collaboration to tackle pain points, enhance efficiency, and meet evolving demands. Plus, we’ll explore how Integra’s tailored solutions are making a significant impact in driving workflow optimization and tech adoption.

In Part 2, we’ll uncover:

• How AI-driven solutions are reshaping peer review and manuscript management
• The key takeaways from recent industry conferences and networking opportunities
• Integra’s role in helping publishers navigate the challenges of the European publishing landscape

Don’t miss out!